L.A. Unified delays first day of school year
Welcome to the first day of school — not.
The Tuesday after Labor Day marks the traditional opening of the academic year for students in the Los Angeles Unified School District, but not this time around.
FOR THE RECORD:
LAUSD school year: The Los Angeles Unified School District has clarified information regarding reductions in busing described in a Sept. 8 article in the LATExtra section about this year’s unusually late start to the academic year. For the most part, students in magnet programs or other integration programs will retain bus service, even if no service is provided for other students at that school, officials said. Specifics vary by school and program. For more information, go to https://transportation .lausd.net or call (800) LA-BUSES (522-8737). —
Budget cuts have resulted in a shorter school year and unpaid furlough days for teachers and other employees. That reality, combined with the Jewish High Holy Days, has pushed things back to Sept. 13.
So why are students already attending public schools in some parts of the nation’s second-largest school system?
That’s because of another recent development: a desire by some principals to start school earlier so their students have more instructional days before the annual state standardized tests in May.
High schools that started Aug. 9 include Arleta, Sun Valley and Polytechnic, according to the district. High schools that started Aug. 16 include Canoga Park, El Camino Real, Taft, Cleveland, Jefferson and Maywood Academy.
And students in nearly 200 independently run charter schools are starting whenever school administrators want them to.
Looking forward, furlough days also will extend the Thanksgiving holiday.
Another adjustment for students and parents will be the latest round of reductions in bus service. As a result of $9 million in cuts to transportation, students attending magnet schools will have to make it to the local high school for their bus pickup.
There will be no more bus transportation at Lane Elementary in Monterey Park, Palms Middle School in Palms, Revere Middle School in Pacific Palisades, and Westchester High and Wright Middle School in Westchester.
More detailed information is available at https://transportation.lausd.net or by calling (800) LABUSES (522-8737).
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